Scarsdale Inches Closer to Playoffs with Win

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – This week’s preparation was just a bit different for Scarsdale. For the first time, the Raiders entered a game following a loss. Their dynamic passing attack was held in check against Yorktown, missing on several opportunities the team usually converts.

It took just one quarter for Scarsdale to pick itself up and make its mistakes a thing of the past.

Quarterback Brian Bauersfeld regained his touch in Scarsdale’s 45-7 victory over Mamaroneck at White Plains High School, its first win over its rival in five seasons.

“We just needed to put the wheels back on,” Scarsdale coach Andrew Verboys said. “Mamaroneck might have been 0-4 coming into the game, but we were 0-4 against them the past four years.

“Yorktown hurt,” Bauersfeld said. “But it was definitely easy to be motivated for this one.”

Scarsdale (4-1, 2-1) scored early and often. The Raiders used big plays and quick drives to jump out to a 28-0 lead before the second quarter.

Johan Drakes began the outburst on Scarsdale’s second play from scrimmage. The senior bounced to the outside and lunged to the pylon on a 15-yard touchdown run.

Matt Freihofner made it 14-0 on Scarsdale’s next drive with a 5-yard surge up the middle, capping off a three-play drive. The first of three Frank Frehill interceptions set up the Raiders inside Tigers’ territory.

“We were playing zone,” said Frehill, who also added an impressive over-the-shoulder 44-yard reception. “It allowed me to sit back and read the quarterback.”

With the run game established, Scarsdale then punished Mamaroneck through the air. Bauersfeld orchestrated back-to-back six-play scoring drives. The senior first connected on a 30-yard touchdown strike with Will Hewitt, who now has a touchdown reception in four straight games.

Later, Bauersfeld (8 for 12, 232 yards, three touchdowns) completed a 60-yard bomb to Matt Wheeler. On the play, Bauersfeld threw across his body, and Wheeler caught it cleanly over a defender and backpedaled into the end zone for six points.

“He wasn’t the first option, but I saw him open down the field,” Bauersfeld said. “You can just throw it up to him and he’ll come down with it.”

Scarsdale was held scoreless in the second quarter until the closing minute when Frehill returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown.

After halftime, Wheeler added his second touchdown, increasing his season total to seven. The senior finished the day with 149 yards on five catches.

Mamaroneck (0-5) couldn’t sustain drives and was hurt by turnovers and poor field position. Its only score came in the third quarter on an 11-yard fade pattern from Parker Thelander to Dean Chiapparelli.

All of the hype and promise surrounding Scarsdale comes down to one home league game on Friday night against Fox Lane with a playoff spot at stake.

The Raiders stumbled in their first chance playing on the big stage against Yorktown. But Verboys hopes that experience will help this time around. A victory sends Scarsdale to the postseason for the first time in 16 years.

“It would be special to be the team that brought Scarsdale back to the playoffs,” Frehill said.